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      Man Utd defender Eric Bailly set to be deliberately frozen out by Marseille despite title battle with PSG

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      MANCHESTER UNITED defender Eric Bailly is set to be left out of at least three of Marseille’s remaining Ligue 1 fixtures, as the French side look to avoid having to sign him permanently.The Ivorian joined Marseille on a season-long loan deal from Old Trafford last summer.
      Eric Bailly has only played nine times in Ligue 1 this seasonCredit: Getty
      The deal includes an obligation to buy for £6.2million, if two key factors are triggered.
      One is that Marseille qualify for the Champions League, which they are well on track to achieve.
      The other is that Bailly features in 19 of his side’s 38 Ligue matches.
      After 26 games, the 28-year-old has played in just nine – meaning he would have to appear in ten of their remaining 12 for the clause to be triggered.
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      According to French paper L’Equipe, Marseille manager Igor Tudor “has lost confidence” in Bailly.
      And they add that the potential obligation to buy in his loan deal will not help him earn a place in the team.
      Bailly missed games during the first half of the season with thigh and leg injuries.
      He was then slapped with a seven-match ban for a horror kung-fu kick that saw him red-carded against fourth tier Hyeres in the Coupe de France.
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      Bailly, 28, was slapped with a seven-match ban for a kung-fu kickCredit: AFP
      After two substitute appearances upon his return, Bailly was thrown back into the starting XI for his side’s top of the table clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
      But he endured a torrid evening and was hooked on 66 minutes, as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe linked up to inspire PSG to a comfortable 3-0 win.
      Marseille currently sit second in Ligue 1, trailing leaders PSG by 11 points, albeit with a game in hand.
      Should he return to Man Utd this summer, Bailly will have one year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford.
      He played in a number of friendlies under Erik ten Hag during pre-season.
      But he hasn’t featured in a competitive match for the Red Devils since a 3-1 win over Burnley on December 30, 2021.
      Eric Bailly featured for United during pre-season under Erik ten HagCredit: Rex More

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      Paris Saint-Germain lining up stunning £175m Erling Haaland transfer to link up Man City sensation with Kylian Mbappe

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are plotting an ambitious £175million move for Erling Haaland, according to reports.The French champions were dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich earlier this week.
      PSG are interested in signing Erling HaalandCredit: Rex
      In the aftermath of their latest European disappointment, PSG chiefs are plotting a rebuild ahead of next season.
      It’s claimed that they could move on from Neymar and Lionel Messi – with the latter still being linked with Inter Miami despite PSG contract talks.
      In their bid to re-tool around Kylian Mbappe, they could turn to Haaland.
      According to French reporter Daniel Riolo, PSG could “begin a new story” around Mbappe and City’s Norwegian striker.
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      Chatting to Football.fr, he admitted that there are doubts around whether City’s Abu Dhabi ownership would sell to PSG’s Qatari chiefs.
      But the French side could navigate this potential problem by simply forking out Haaland’s release clause, believed to be around £175m.
      PSG boss Christophe Galtier’s job is hanging by a thread after his side’s 3-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.
      Riolo reckons that the Ligue 1 table-toppers could appease Mbappe by appointing Zinedine Zidane this summer, despite the Real Madrid legend’s affinity for fierce rivals Marseille.
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      PSG want to rebuild around Kylian MbappeCredit: AFP
      To team Mbappe and Haaland up, PSG would have to sell a number of players in order to comply with financial fair play.
      They could face competition from Real Madrid for Haaland’s signature.
      The LaLiga champions are enamoured with the Norwegian and could launch a bid this summer, despite previously having been expected to wait until 2024.
      Madrid chiefs are building the best young core in Europe, with Vinicius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Endrick.
      And in a further enticing factor to Haaland they are determined to add his old Borussia Dortmund pal Jude Bellingham to an already stacked midfield.
      L’Equipe claim that, in addition to Haaland, PSG football advisor Luis Campos is interested in a trio of attacking stars.
      They report that the French giants could move for Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, his Portugal team-mate Goncalo Ramos and Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen.
      PSG are interested in Goncalo Ramos and Bernardo SilvaCredit: The Times
      Victor Osimhen is on PSG’s shortlistCredit: Rex More

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      Neymar gives thumbs up from hospital bed as PSG striker shares update after ankle surgery in latest injury nightmare

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN superstar Neymar has undergone ankle surgery after being ruled out for the rest of the season.The forward has been sidelined since February when he hurt his foot in a Ligue 1 game against Lille and was stretchered off in tears.
      Neymar has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injuryCredit: Reuters
      Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar gave the thumbs up to the camera after surgeryCredit: AFP
      The Brazil international went under the knife at Aspetar, which is PSG’s official medical partner, in Doha this afternoon.
      The operation was a success and the 31-year-old gave the thumbs up to the camera afterwards.
      Neymar is still expected to miss the rest of the campaign but there was a positive update.
      The ex-Barcelona star was spared the risk of suffering from a recurrence of the injury.
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      The operation was supervised by Aspetar CMO Professor Peter D’hooghe, renowned ankle surgeon Pierre James Calder and Brazil’s national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.
      Neymar’s injury has seen Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe partnering up front together in a new-look 3-5-2 formation.
      But that hasn’t helped as PSG suffered yet another Champions League exit in the Round of 16.
      Christophe Galtier’s men were knocked out by Bayern Munich after losing 2-0 at the Allianz Arena.
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      The 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike is the only other senior forward at Galtier’s disposal.
      Neymar has suffered several injuries since his world-record £198million move to PSG from Barca in 2017.
      In fact, the Brazilian has missed over 100 games for the reigning French champions with his debut campaign being brought to a premature end by a broken metatarsal.
      The ex-Santos star suffered a similar injury in 2019 and was then sidelined due to hamstring trouble in the 2019-2020 campaign.
      Adductor and ankle issues have become common since then for the versatile attacker. More

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      ‘He doesn’t walk into anyone’s starting XI’ – Neymar is ‘world-class’ but would only make Arsenal’s bench, says pundit

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Neymar “doesn’t walk into elite starting XIs” despite being a “world class” footballer.TalkSPORT presenter and former Spurs star Darren Bent believes Neymar would only be a bench option for Premier League leaders Arsenal.
      Neymar is not good enough to start for Arsenal, says ex-Prem star Darren BentCredit: Reuters
      The 31-year-old Brazilian was enjoying a fine campaign at PSG before suffering a season-ending injury this week.
      And Neymar’s latest setback has sparked fresh talk of his long-term future in the French capital.
      The former Barcelona forward has been at PSG since 2017 after a world-record £198million move.
      He’s gone on to score 118 goals in 173 matches, winning four Ligue 1 titles in the process.
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      And some reports suggest Neymar could end up playing in England.
      Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move as Todd Boehly searches for a marquee striker.
      But former England striker Bent does not believe Neymar is good enough to stroll into the starting XI of any elite side.
      And when asked on TalkSPORT whether title chasers Arsenal would take Neymar, Bent declared the Samba star would only make the bench as he is not as good as compatriot Gabriel Martinelli.
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      Darren Bent feels Neymar can’t just ‘walk’ into elite starting XIsCredit: Getty
      Bent said: “Right now, I’d rather have Martinelli because Neymar is out for the season.
      “I like our squad now so I’m sticking with Martinelli. Neymar in his pomp is unbelievable, but there are just times where things don’t fit.
      “When you look at the games he’s played, he’s played 20, 17, 15, 18, 22 and 20 [matches]. Always injured.
      “I know he’s world-class and I’d have him as a squad player but he doesn’t walk into anyone’s starting XI.
      “I’m not criticising his ability, honestly he’s phenomenal. His ability is frightening. 
      “Some of the things he can do with a football, wow. But he comes with a bit of baggage.
      “Look at what previous managers at PSG have said about working with him, he makes it incredibly difficult.” More

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      Kylian Mbappe ‘barely considered’ world-record Arsenal transfer despite Arsene Wenger meeting for brutal reason

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE ‘barely considered’ joining Arsenal for a brutal reason – despite meeting with Arsene Wenger.The French superstar, 24, burst on to the scene with Monaco, breaking into the first team as a 16-year-old in December 2015.
      Kylian Mbappe decided to join PSG from Monaco in 2017Credit: Reuters
      Arsene Wenger met with the forward to try and bring him to ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Compatriot Wenger visited the teenager at his home to try and seal a deal in 2016.
      But after unsuccessfully landing the rising star, Wenger made another attempt a year later.
      However, L’Equipe state Mbappe gave a switch to the Emirates very little thought.
      That is because Arsenal failed to qualify for the 2017-18 Champions League.
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      Mbappe had just won Ligue 1 with Monaco while the Gunners finished fifth, one point behind Liverpool, in turn ending their run of 19 consecutive campaigns at Europe’s top table.
      Instead, Mbappe made his switch to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, initially on loan before a £162million transfer 12 months later.
      Both Wenger and Mbappe have spoken publicly about the Gunners’ attempts to lure the forward to North London.
      Mbappe said in 2018 upon joining PSG permanently: “I met with Arsene Wenger, who is a great coach.
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      “He has a great reputation here in France, he’s well-respected and knows how to develop young players. This was a real option for me.
      “I dream of being managed by Arsene Wenger. He is French, he’s had a great career and now he is free because he has left Arsenal.
      “We weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of all the clubs but my family told me it had to be my decision and one I needed to make.
      “It also had to be a long-term decision. So it was up to me and I decided to come here in order to develop.”
      Wenger added: “The player would tell you that I was at his home last year to try to get him here.
      “Because he was at the end of his contract but Monaco managed to keep him and the decision was very, very tight.
      “But I could understand it as well because he was educated there and at the end decided to stay there.”
      Since joining PSG in 2017, Mbappe has racked up a club-record 201 goals at a strike rate of 0.81 goals per game.
      He has added four more Ligue 1 titles, three Coupes de France, two Coupes de la Ligue and reached the Champions League final in 2020.
      The Frenchman – who signed a mammoth £500m contract renewal last year – also won the World Cup in 2018 and the final in 2022, where he took home the Golden Boot.
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      At Arsenal, however, Wenger left in 2018 and they have only been able to add an FA Cup triumph to their trophy cabinet since – although they are top of the Premier League with 12 games of this season to go. More

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      ‘Happy he’s injured’ – France World Cup winner TEARS into Neymar after PSG superstar is ruled out for rest of season

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      A FRENCH World Cup winner tore into Neymar and declared: “I’m happy he’s injured.”The Paris Saint-Germain forward, 31, was stretchered off in tears during 4-3 win over Lille on February 19.
      Neymar was stretchered off with an ankle injury in February and needs surgeryCredit: Getty
      And it was confirmed the Brazilian will miss the rest of the season because he needs surgery in Qatar to repair ankle ligaments.
      That ruled him out of playing around his sister Rafaella’s birthday on March 11 for the ninth time in ten seasons.
      The news comes as a big blow to PSG in their hopes of overturning the deficit in their Champions League second leg against Bayern Munich.
      But Christophe Dugarry incredibly celebrated the world’s most expensive player’s latest woes – and thinks his long-term absence is good news for the Ligue 1 leaders.
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      The World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000 winner – who looks unrecognisable these days – blasted in a scathing assessment: “I’m happy for PSG that Neymar is injured.
      “I think this is an incredible opportunity, an amazing stroke of luck for Christophe Galtier.
      “The team is much more balanced with five defenders, three midfielders and Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi up front.
      “I can’t bear to see him anymore, I can’t stand him anymore.
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      “I find him insufferable in his dribbling and with that attitude.
      “I don’t want to see him on the field anymore, I’m tired.”
      Neymar’s injury has seen Messi and Mbappe partner up front together in a new-look 3-5-2 formation.
      However, Dugarry worries for PSG should either man be ruled out for any period of time due to a severe lack of depth in the squad’s attack.
      The 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike, on loan from Reims, is the only other senior forward at manager Galtier’s disposal.
      Ex-Barcelona and Birmingham man Dugarry added to RMC Sport: “Hugo Ekitike has shown that he is still not at the desired level and the other attackers are also mediocre.”
      Christophe Dugarry slammed Neymar and reckons PSG are better without himCredit: AFP More

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      Neymar ruled out for rest of season in huge blow to PSG with Brazilian needing ligament repair surgery

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      NEYMAR has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.The PSG star will need surgery on the blow he suffered in the Ligue 1 fixture against Lille in February.
      Neymar has been ruled out for the remainder of the seasonCredit: Rex
      He injured his ankle against Lille last monthCredit: AFP
      Neymar was stretchered off in tears following the injury.
      The Brazilian is expected to be out of action for at least the next three months as he recovers.
      Neymar’s operation will take place in Doha, Qatar this week.
      PSG released a statement saying: “Neymar Jr has had several episodes of right ankle instability in recent years.
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      “Following his last sprain contracted on February 20, the medical staff of Paris Saint-Germain recommended a ligament repair operation in order to avoid a major risk of recurrence.
      “All of the experts consulted confirmed this need.
      “This surgery will be performed in the coming days at ASPETAR Hospital in Doha.
      “A delay of three to four months is expected before his return to collective training.”
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      It is a major blow to the French giants, who will now have to find their way without him in the Champions League.
      The club are set to take on Bayern Munich on Wednesday, having lost the first leg 1-0.
      Domestically, PSG are top of Ligue 1, eight points ahead of second-placed Marseille. More

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      Kylian Mbappe gifts record-breaking PSG shirt to Ignatius Ganago just two weeks after Nantes stars daughter, 5, dies

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Kylian Mbappe has gifted his record-breaking shirt to Ignatius Ganago after his daughter passed away. The Nantes striker’s five-year-old child died two weeks ago following an illness.
      Kylian Mbappe exchanged his record-breaking shirt with Ignatius GanagoCredit: @EspoirsduFoot
      Mbappe became PSG’s all-time top goalscorer and was presented with an awardCredit: Getty
      Ignatius Ganago’s daughter passed awayCredit: Getty
      It was the player’s second game back after the tragedy and Mbappe offered his support.
      PSG won 4-2 with the Frenchman netting in the 92nd minute to become the club’s all-time top goalscorer.
      It was his 201st strike and he has overtaken the record held by Edinson Cavani.
      Mbappe approached Ganago, who netted his side’s second of the match, in the tunnel after the full-time whistle.
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      The pair embraced before they swapped shirts and shook hands.
      On breaking the record after playing just a total of 247 games, Mbappe said he was relaxed and knew his achievement would come: “I wasn’t putting any pressure on myself, I knew I would beat it and I didn’t want to force it.
      “It’s great that the goal came at the end. Playing here is a privilege, I’ve improved as a player, I’ve changed a lot.
      “Playing at PSG is special for me. If you told me I would score with the captain’s armband on to break the record, I wouldn’t have believed it.
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      “It’s a personal achievement, but I’m here for collective achievements. I’d like to thank my team-mates, coaches, the management and the supporters, who’ve given me everything here.”
      The win over Nantes at home sent PSG 11 points clear at the top of the table with goals from Lionel Messi, Danilo Pereira and an own goal from Jaouen Hadjam.
      Mbappe will be hoping to get his hands on a fifth league title with the Parisians this season. More